Slydini (September 1, 1901 - January 15, 1991) was a world renowned magician born Quintino Marucci in Foggia, Italy. He first took the stage name of "Tony Foolem" and eventually later "Slydini".

Slydini was the son of an amateur magician who encouraged him to pursue sleight of hand at an early age.

Slydini on Cavett (The cigarette fantasy)

While still young, Slydini and his family moved from Italy to Argentina. He worked in South America's version of vaudeville, but after the Great Depression hit, work became scarce.

In 1930, he moved to New York City, where he got a job at Hubert's Museum on Forty-second Street and later found work in carnivals and sideshows. On a visit to Boston, Slydini landed a three-day show and ended up performing in Boston for seven years.

Slydini's magic was usually impromptu, rather than following a set sequence of tricks. He allowed his audience and the situation to dictate his show.

The French film producer Christian Fechner brought Slydini to France and professionally filmed his entire repertoire possibly during the 1970s. The films have never been released.

Video

As I Recall (2 DVD Set) : Slydini's students pay tribute to the man, the mentor, and the magic. They recall some of their most cherished moments with the master and perform their favorite effects, keeping his legacy alive.